Forgotten Heroes – Discovering the Lost Voices of History
6 – 8
April 2025
Humanities and Social Sciences
21 Days
About Project
History is full of hidden stories—of people who made a difference but never made it into our textbooks. These may be brave freedom fighters, visionary reformers, artists, educators, or local legends whose contributions have faded from public memory. This project invites students to become young history detectives, uncovering and celebrating the lives of their community’s forgotten heroes. Students will research and tell the story of a lesser-known historical figure whose actions helped shape their community, region, or country. The focus is on discovery, storytelling, and empathy—connecting personally with the past and understanding how everyday people can become extraordinary through courage and conviction. In this project, students will select a forgotten or under-recognized historical figure, especially from local or regional history. They will investigate their life and impact through books, articles, oral histories, family accounts, or community elders. Finally, students will create a Hero File—a creative and personal way to bring their story to life. This might include a short written biography or story, artwork or visuals that represent their journey, and a reflection on why their story still matters today. The project will conclude with “Forgotten Heroes: The Exhibit,” a special showcase where you and your classmates will share these rediscovered voices with the school community, helping everyone see how even the quietest contributions can shape history in powerful ways.
Expert Profile
Dr. Vikram Sampath, FRHistS, is a Bangalore-based historian and author renowned for his ten acclaimed books on Indian history, including national bestsellers like Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past, Savarkar: A Contested Legacy, Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History, and Waiting for Shiva: Unearthing the Truth of Kashi’s Gyan Vapi. His latest work, Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore’s Interregnum (1760–1799), has already seen its third reprint within a month of release. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Eisenhower Global Fellow, and Aspen Global Leader, Vikram has earned prestigious accolades such as the Sahitya Akademi’s first Yuva Puraskar in English literature and the ARSC Award for Excellence in Historical Research for his book My Name Is Gauhar Jaan.
With a doctorate in history and music from the University of Queensland, Australia, Vikram transitioned from a career in engineering (BITS-Pilani) and finance (MBA, S.P. Jain Institute) to pursue his passion for history. His works blend rigorous research with narrative storytelling, covering topics from the Wadiyar dynasty of Mysore to the life of Veer Savarkar and the cultural history of Indian music. As a trained Carnatic vocalist, he founded the Archive of Indian Music, India’s first digital sound archive for vintage recordings, and the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR) to promote primary source-based scholarship.
Vikram is also the founder of the Bangalore Literature Festival and curates the ZEE Group’s cultural fest, Arth. A Senior Research Fellow at the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at Monash University, Australia, he continues to inspire through his writings, lectures, and initiatives that bridge India’s rich past with its present.
